How Cotton Candy Works

Nutritional Values of Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy and Medical Breakthroughs

Cotton candy, long criticized for its empty calories, may be redeeming
itself within the medical community because it could aid in regrowing
human tissue. Researchers at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Cornell
University noticed how the size and arrangement of cotton candy
filaments mimicked that of the capillary system. Now, the researchers
are using this idea to develop a synthetic flesh that could be
implanted to supply blood to damaged tissue [source: Li].

Nutritionally speaking, the sugars in cotton candy are simple carbohydrates, so they supply your body nothing but calories -- just pure energy. Like all calories, they can contribute to weight gain, but on the other hand, a standard serving of cotton candy contains far less sugar than one can of a regular soft drink: one teaspoon of sugar versus 12.

Check out the table below to get an idea of how cotton candy stacks up to other carnival treats. Recipes and foods vary among vendors and events, but you can see that cotton candy lacks the excesses of other typical fair fare.

We have NASA to thank for all sorts of amazing technological innovations, but sometimes, NASA's research is applied in surprising ways. Read on to discover how one company is taking ordinary skydiving -- and adventure sports -- to a whole new level.